dvd decoder confusion
 

Hi,
My computer can't read DVDs, but it can read CDs; when I put a DVD in, Windows Media Player opens and says it needs a DVD decoder. I have a Windows Vista: what type of DVD decoder do I need???
NVIDIA?

Confused!

AimeeXi

I don't have Vista, but you could try downloading this codec pack...it's for Vista.
Vista Codec Package v4.4.7 Beta 4a (freeware)

Or, you could try using VLC player. It's free & has codecs installed to play mot file types. It's a really good player;)
VLC media player - Overview

IC birdy beat me to the draw....I've been using the K-Lite pack forever it seems....works like a charm with anything I throw at it using WMP....

dvd still won't play... :,(
 

Thanks to Birdy for your advice...
I downloaded and installed the vista codec package, but when I try to play a dvd, it looks like it's starting to play, but then says "Windows Media Player has encontered a problem and needs to close." I would appreciate any advice !

AimeeXi

Try the K-Lite codecs that Peerless posted. I've hardly WMP...I use VLC for movies.

Here is a list of commercial dvd decoders that work on vista and xp very well:
BurnWorld - DVD Decoder Software for Windows Vista & XP - Download Free & Shareware DVD Movie Decoders

Keep in mind that most are plugins for media player, but that's ok you get good playback from it.

You know guys, not so long ago (maybe a couple of years ago) WMP use to play DVDs but MS in their wisdom did an "update" and took this facility away.

You will also find, as I did, that MS does not like "third party" codecs in their O/S and so, with their updates, will delete or disable them.

Therefore, you should disable "auto-update", as a rule (personal policy) and only choose MS updates that do not interfere with your PCs facilities, e.g. security updates.



UK Bob